Rinpoche strongly advises everyone to make advance bookings for flights and accommodation due to the large number of people expected in Bodhgaya at this time. The Phowa Course dates follow immediately after the Kalachakra initiation with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, so Bodhgaya will be unusually full of pilgrims in January.

His Eminence ‘Choeje’ Ayang Rinpoche is considered to be the world’s living Phowa master. A lineage-holder of both the Nyingma and Drikung Phowa he continues the unbroken line of succession of the Drikung Phowa lamas from Buddha Vajradhara.Phowa, or ‘transference of consciousness at the time of death’ is the simplest and most direct method to attain enlightenment. One of the six Yogas of Naropa, it is taught by all Tibetan Buddhist traditions; the Drikung Kagyu Lineage, however, holds the special power to transfer one’s consciousness to the Pureland of Buddha Amitabha. In Tibet, the famous Drikung Phowa was given every twelve years by the two Head Lamas of the Drikung Lineage. HE Choeje Ayang Rinpoche first started to teach Phowa in India in 1963 and the west in 1975 following the instructions from his root master HH the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje.

It is also one of the methods to enable one to reach Buddha Amitabha’s pure land. Through a combination of breath, mantra and visualization techniques applied at the time of death, the consciousness is ejected from the crest aperture, circumventing the Bardos and avoiding rebirth in the six realms of cyclic existence. From this gate one’s consciousness can be transferred directly to the domain of Amitabha Buddha (Dewachen, the western Buddha field). Naropa said, “There are nine gates (ordinary aperture called buga) which are of the world, but there is only one which is the gate of Mahamudra (nirvana). If you shut the nine gates then you will get the path of liberation without any doubt.”

In the words of the Marpa the translator, “If you study Phowa, then at the time when death is approaching, you will know no despair. If beforehand you have become accustomed to the path of phowa, then at the time of death you will be full of cheerful confidence.” It is taught that one does not return to the samsaric realms after entering Dewachen, and that one can quickly and easily achieve enlightenment from that realm. Thus, Phowa is alike an insurance that this attainment will follow death.

This comprehensive course on both the Nyingma and Drikung Phowa practices include extensive teachings on the moment of death, the intermediate state (Bardo), purification practice of Vajrasattva and many other important related topics as well as detailed meditation instructions, empowerments and practice sessions. The blessings of all these auspicious circumstances combined with the profound practice, the special Phowa transmission lineage, the sacred place and the confidence and devotion of the students causes many people to have powerful and transformative experience that deeply enrich their spiritual lives.Read more at :http://ayangrinpoche.org/an-introduction-to-phowa/